Originally posted by Mad Rook
"Edit - I took out everything I said. Touch-move rule = you touch it, you move it. Decisions based on intent are up to the adjuditcator. No likey? Too bad. If it worked in my favour I would request that touch-move be enforced to the letter, not the spirit."
Based on that statement, you either still haven't read the previous posts, or you still suffe ell. So I don't consider your chess rating a factor in this discussion.
Ok - I tried the make fun of myself get out of this argument thing, but you're obviously having none of it. So, I'll respond one last time, hopefully.
So, to begin with - the touch move rule is fairly well set in stone: you touch the piece, you move it. If an adjudicator decides to be human about it, that's his/her business, not mine or yours. The truth, and the end of the discussion about the rule is that the rule IS. No amount of discussion about the morals of the rule, or any decisions made concerning the rule changes the fact the the touch move rule says that you touch a piece, thats the piece you move. Disagree? Fine, but you may want to review the rules of chess. I've had people stick to the letter of the rule in friendly games, so I don't consider it cheating to stick to the letter of the rule in any match that counts.
Winning anything by any means shouldn't be the rule. I absolutely agree with you there. However, "shouldn't" and "isn't" are two different things. Shouldn't is an amazingly positive word - it implies a world of understanding, empathy, and true humanity. Unfortunately, life isn't that way. If you disagree, you are lying. Just think back to the last time someone jumped in front of you in a queue at the supermarket/bank/wherever -did they apologise and give you your rightful place? Maybe, but not likely.
As to the messing - if it came off as insulting, demeaning, or anything else other than mildly humourous, I apologise. I didn't mean to insult anyone really. Unfortunately, the online experience doesn't allow me to make the facial expressons and stupid voices I would normally associate with most of the things I say. My sense of humour tends toward the sarcastic, and the dry. I honestly, and sincerely apoogise if I hurt anyone's feelings. The relax part, and the heart attack bit were meant in the same way - it was a joke, and obviously the joke didn't work, so I also apologise to you specifically.
Your attitude towards ratings on this site is comendable, and rare. A lot of people decide that you are not worth reading if you have a low rating here. I did mean it as a sort of apologetic joke aimed at myself though. You were meant to see that I can hold myself against the same sharp edge of my ugly humour that I subject you all to, and feel appeased by my self-deprecation. Obviously I failed there as well.
I still think that the rule is written the way it is for a reason (to stop people touching every piece on the board and moving them to see what happens) but that if the rule can work in your favour then there is no reason not to take that advantage. I also know it can go the other way - if you can work the rules to help you win, you are using tactics and strategy off the board, you are winning within the rules. And there is nothing wrong with that. If you disagree, we can have that discussion elsewhere - I was only doing what everyone else was, throwing my two cents in on the touch-move rule.
Edit: Dang, that was a lot of typing.